Learn how to write text messages to tell a friend you re going to be late. Before reading Writing: A1 A message to say you re late Do the preparation task first. Then read the text and tips and do the exercises. Preparation task Put the phrases in the correct groups. I m running late. No problem. It s fine. This is not my day. Don t worry. Sorry! It s OK. I ll be there in 10 minutes. Phrases for somebody who is late Phrases for somebody who is waiting A message to say you re late I m running 10 mins late, sorry! No problem! Aargh! Traffic is really bad. I ll be more than 10 mins late now, sorry again!! It s OK, don t worry. I m in the café already so it s fine
This is not my day! I m here but can t find a place to park. I m looking for a different car park. Not sure how long I ll be OK, LMK when you find a place I might get something to eat tho Of course! I ll be as quick as I can OK! Found one! Be there in 10 mins Well done! See you soon Thx for waiting Tips 1. You don t need to write complete sentences for text messages. 2. Use abbreviations like LMK (= let me know) or use emojis to save time writing. 3. You don t need to use full stops (.) at the end of messages. 4. Say how many minutes you think you ll need, e.g. I m running 10 minutes late. 5. It s good to say sorry and sorry again, but you don t need to say sorry in every message.
Tasks Task 1 Circle the correct answer. 1. What is mins short for? a. minimum b. minute c. minutes 2. What does aargh mean? a. I m angry. b. I m sad. c. I m happy. 3. What does it mean if you write two or more exclamation (!) marks? a. You re angry. b. You re sorry. c. You really mean what you re saying. 4. What does LMK mean? a. leave my key b. let me know c. love more kisses 5. What is tho short for? a. therefore b. there c. though 6. What is thx short for? a. this b. thanks c. taxi Task 2 Read the message and choose the correct response. 1. I m running a bit late, sorry! a. Sorry! b. No problem! c. Yes. 2. I ll be about 15 mins late, sorry again!! a. I m sorry too. b. I m fine. c. It s OK, don t worry. 3. I can t find anywhere to park. Not sure how long I ll be. a. I know. b. OK, LMK when you find a place. c. Well done! See you soon.
4. I ll be there in 5 mins. a. OK, see you soon. b. OK, I will. c. Of course! 5. Thx for waiting. a. No problem. b. Yes. c. Well done! Task 3 Put the words in the correct order. 1. mins running 10 I m late 2. sure how Not I ll be long 3. as quick I I ll can be as 4. mins there Be 10 in 5. you re when here LMK 6. you soon See Discussion Are you usually on time or late? How many minutes is late for you?
Answers Preparation task Phrases for somebody who is late Phrases for somebody who is waiting I m running late. This is not my day. Sorry! I ll be there in ten minutes. No problem. It s fine. Don t worry. It s OK. Task 1 1. c 2. a 3. c 4. b 5. c 6. b Task 2 1. b 2. c 3. b 4. a 5. a Task 3 1. I m running ten mins late 2. Not sure how long I ll be 3. I ll be as quick as I can 4. Be there in ten mins 5. LMK when you re here 6. See you soon